What part of a system often proves to be a weak point because they are not load-rated?

In a rescue system, anchors are critical components that connect the system to a stable point. The reason anchors can often represent a weak point is because not all anchors are designed with load ratings that assess their structural integrity under dynamic loads typically encountered during rescue operations. In many circumstances, rescue practitioners may use natural anchors or improvised anchors that have not been tested or evaluated for their capacity to withstand specific loads.

This contrasts with other components like ropes, carabiners, and webbing, which are generally manufactured with specific load ratings and standards, ensuring that their limits are known and adhered to during rescue scenarios. Thus, the lack of reliable load ratings on anchors, especially when they are not purpose-built for rescue operations, makes them a potential failure point in a technical rescue system. This highlights the importance of understanding the strength and reliability of all components used during a rescue, particularly those that are not explicitly designed for such high-stakes applications.